Out of the Darkness

In San Diego County, jury deliberations begin in the trial of Larry Millete, a man accused of killing his wife, Maya, as she sought a divorce. In Pennsylvania, a 33-year-old woman is charged with her parents' murders. Prosecutors suspect she has ties to the Zizians, a cult-like group connected to several violent deaths across three states. In Dateline Round Up, updates on the Karen Read wrongful death lawsuit. And the U.S. Coast Guard releases new video from its investigation into a woman missing in the Bahamas. Plus, AI scams and how to avoid them.    Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrea Canning sits down with Josh Mankiewicz to discuss his episode, “Out of the Darkness.” In 2016, Chacey Poynter called 911 in hysterics to report that her husband, Bob, a fire captain, had been fatally shot by a stranger on a Texas country road. When police arrived at the scene, they found a frantic Chacey covered in her husband’s blood. Investigators quickly surmised that her emotion and her story were far from genuine. Andrea and Josh discuss the intensity of Chacey’s reaction, captured on police body cam, as well as the role of life insurance policies can play in murders. Later, Josh shares a podcast-exclusive clip from his interview Bob’s mother. Then, in a podcast first, Josh invites Andrea to partake in a special Talking Dateline challenge.   Have a question for Talking Dateline? DM your audio or video to @DatelineNBC on social or leave a voicemail at (212) 413-5252. Your question could be featured in an upcoming episode.   Listen to the full episode of “Out of the Darkness” here: https://swap.fm/l/outofthedarkness   Listen to Josh’s episode “Poison” here: https://swap.fm/l/poison   Watch Andrea fight off sweat bees here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=324321878130485 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A wife calls 911 to report her husband has been shot on a country road in Texas. Could the dramatic police footage from the scene end up being key in the investigation? Josh Mankiewicz reports. Andrea Canning and Josh Mankiewicz go behind the scenes of the making of this episode in 'Talking Dateline':  https://swap.fm/l/talkingdatelineoutofthedarkness Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In San Diego County, jurors hear from the ex-wife of Maya Millete's lover as prosecutors wrap up their case against Maya's husband, Larry, who is accused of killing her. In Las Vegas, youth pastor David Vander Meer is charged with murdering his wife, Bernadette, on a hike in 2006. In Dateline Round Up, Alex Murdaugh and Luigi Mangione are back in court. Plus, "Legally Blonde" prequel star June Diane Raphael on her passion for true crime.  Andrea Canning’s "Bend and Snap" video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZ6IxcKt0CY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NBC News National Correspondent Morgan Chesky sits down with Lester Holt to discuss his episode “After The Flood.” On July 4, 2025, Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp located in the Texas Hill Country along the banks of the Guadalupe River, was devastated by a catastrophic flash flood. Described as a one-in-a-thousand-year storm, water levels rose rapidly, trapping campers and counselors in their cabins, while others tried to seek higher ground. Of the 119 people who lost their lives in Kerr County, 27 were Camp Mystic campers and counselors. Morgan shares memories of growing up in the Texas Hill Country and what it was like to return home and cover the storm’s heartbreaking aftermath. Lester reflects on interviewing a young survivor and the grieving mothers who continue to seek answers about what happened and whether more could have been done. Plus, they answer your questions from social media. Have a question for Talking Dateline? DM us @DatelineNBC or leave a voicemail at (212) 413-5252 –  your question could be featured in an upcoming episode. Listen to the full episode of “After the Flood”: https://swap.fm/l/aftertheflood Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mothers who lost their daughters at Camp Mystic in the catastrophic 2025 Texas floods sit down with Lester Holt to discuss their grief, their bond, and the investigation into what happened. Originally aired on June 26, 2026. Lester Holt and NBC News National Correspondent Morgan Chesky go behind the scenes of the making of this episode in ‘Talking Dateline’: https://swap.fm/l/talkingdatelineaftertheflood Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In Manhattan, Luigi Mangione’s defense prepares to use a psychiatric defense, then reverses course. In San Diego County, Maya Millete's lover, Jamey Laird, takes the stand in the trial of her husband, who is accused of killing her. In Dateline Roundup, former Bardstown, Kentucky, police officer Nick Houck enters a plea on a perjury charge; his brother was convicted last year of killing Crystal Rogers. Plus, the Supreme Court makes a stunning ruling in the case of Etan Patz, the 6-year-old who disappeared in 1979 in New York City. And Keith Morrison previews his new podcast, "Five Miles From Home.”                                                                                                                                                   Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Keith Morrison and Dateline producer Tim Uehlinger join Andrea Canning to discuss their episode, “Secrets Unmasked.” It’s the story of Regina Hicks, a young Ohio mother whose body was found in the passenger seat of her submerged car in 2001. Her manner of death was ruled undetermined, and for decades the case remained a mystery. Then an alleged arson scheme involving a custom-made face mask prompted investigators to take another look at Regina’s death. Keith and Tim discuss the twists and turns that ultimately led to justice, including the pivotal role of witness Steve Gates, who broke his silence after nearly 25 years. Keith also shares an extra clip from his interview with Steve, who explains why he is no longer afraid of Regina’s killer. Plus, we answer your questions from social media. Have a question for Talking Dateline? DM us @DatelineNBC or leave a voicemail at (212) 413-5252 –  your question could be featured in an upcoming episode. Listen to the full episode of “Secrets Unmasked” here: https://swap.fm/l/secretsunmasked Listen to Andrea’s episode “Running Man,” about the case that took place where she grew up in Canada: https://swap.fm/l/runningman Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The death of 25-year-old Ohio mom Regina Hicks at the bottom of a pond remains a mystery for nearly a quarter century, until a key witness has a change of heart. Keith Morrison reports. Keith Morrison and Andrea Canning go behind the scenes of the making of this episode in ‘Talking Dateline’: https://swap.fm/l/talkingdatelinesecretsunmasked Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In San Diego, a spellcaster testifies about the types of spells accused killer Larry Millete bought in the weeks before his wife Maya's murder. In North Carolina, a defense filing in the murder case of UNC student Faith Hedgepeth raises questions about her roommate. In Dateline Round Up, emotional sentencing hearings for convicted Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann and Utah mother Tracey Grist, who is convicted of masterminding her son-in-law's murder. Plus, a veteran crime scene investigator explains how tire treads and trash left behind in a car can help catch a killer.   Find out more about the cases covered each week here: www.datelinetruecrimeweekly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.